On Dry Land (Swimming Upstream #3) by Rebecca Barber Page B

But even the delicious meal couldn’t make this shopping adventure enjoyable.
    By the time Tyler had carried the bags through the front door of his apartment Ava was ready to collapse. Without a word, Tyler walked straight past her and hung her dresses in his wardrobe right next to his suits. It looked so domestic. So couple-y. So normal.
    Grabbing two bottles of water from the fridge, Ava pushed open the balcony doors and sunk into the seat, settling her sunglasses over her eyes as she tilted her head in the direction of the sun, basking in its warmth.
    “What’s on your mind, pretty girl?” Tyler asked as he sunk down beside her, accepting the water.
    “Nothing,” Ava lied easily. She didn’t want to admit her fears and frustrations. She didn’t want to be that girl. The needy drama queen that annoyed her so much.
    “I know you’re lying.”
    “How?”
    “I know you.”
    Rolling her eyes hidden beneath her oversized glasses, with a huff Ava reminded him, “I hate you.”
    With a hearty chuckle, “No, you don’t. You just wish you did.”
    “Grrr!”
    “Gonna tell me what’s got your panties twist?”
    “You…you didn’t have to spend that much money on me…”
    “I didn’t mind, Short Stack.”
    “I know. I know you don’t, but…it just makes me feel uncomfortable, you buying me stuff. I can buy my own clothes.”
    “I don’t doubt it! Not for a second. But I like spending money on you. So don’t give it another thought. Now, after hours of shopping I need to go do something manly.”
    “Manly?”
    “Yep. I’m going to head down to the gym for a bit and punch something. Want to join me?”
    “Thanks, but no. Hell no. I might spend some time writing.”
    “So, I’m not even out the door and already you’re thinking about another guy?” Tyler teased.
    “Not just any guy. Another swimmer! There’s something sexy about James Thompson,” Ava countered, the heaviness lifting.
    Tyler was right, though. Physically she was still sitting on the balcony playing with him, but mentally she’d already been swept away in the world of make believe where James and Anna continued to face and overcome insurmountable obstacles.
    “Fine! I know when I’m not wanted.” Tyler winked as he placed a chaste kiss on her cheek and Ava felt his breath on her face. “Be back in a bit,” he added before he vanished through the door, leaving Ava alone with her thoughts.
    For a couple of minutes Ava sat outside enjoying the sunshine while Tyler bustled about. He wasn’t quiet at all. When the door slammed and quiet settled in, Ava knew she was alone. Knowing she needed to escape for a while, Ava darted into the bedroom, seized her laptop, and was back outside and lost in another world within minutes.
    Strangely enough, Ava was relieved when they settled into a normal, boring routine. While Tyler was training or in the gym, Ava was writing. And every moment in between, they spent together. Watching movies, cooking, doing laundry, and even sitting in silence reading. Life was normal. And it scared the shit out of Ava. The only black cloud hanging over her head was the insurance situation with her car. After a dozen phone calls all she’d managed to establish was that it would take time. In the mean time, she’d need to hire a replacement. But that was next week’s problem. Future Ava could deal with that.
    When Monday night came around, the long weekend was over. Real life was knocking and neither Ava nor Tyler were ready for it to intrude. After she washed the dishes and tidied the kitchen, Ava found herself standing in the wardrobe trying to find everything. Once again she was packing a bag, getting ready to relocate her life, even if it was only temporarily.
    “Which dress are you going to wear on Thursday morning?” Tyler asked, strutting into the room.
    “No idea,” Ava sighed heavily.
    It was part of the reason she only wanted to buy one outfit. It would alleviate the pressure of having to make a